The Obidient Movement has condemned the arrest of its Akwa Ibom State Coordinator, Dr Ben Smith, the State Coordinator of the OK Movement, Mr Elijah Noah, and other members of the group by the Nigeria Police during a peaceful march in the state.
In a statement signed by Mr. Onyeka Dike, Media and Communications Directorate of the Obidient Movement, the group described the arrests as unlawful and accused the police of using intimidation and harassment against citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
According to the movement, the protesters’ only offence was identifying as members or supporters of the Obidient Movement, which it described as a legitimate political expression protected by the Nigerian Constitution.
The group expressed concern that citizens participating in a peaceful assembly could be arrested, describing the incident as an alleged assault on fundamental rights and democratic participation.
The Obidient Movement also accused the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible for what it called an unnecessary provocation and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detained coordinators and other members.
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The group further alleged that the police had become an instrument of political persecution against opposition voices. It called on the authorities to end what it described as intimidation and harassment of members of the Obidient Movement and other opposition groups.
“If citizens can no longer assemble peacefully, express their grievances or demonstrate their political convictions without fear of arrest, then our democracy has been officially suspended,” the statement said.
The movement warned that continued arrests and intimidation could lead to wider protests across the country, saying it would mobilise its members and supporters if the authorities failed to respond to its demands.
It also said growing public frustration over the policies and performance of President Bola Tinubu and the APC could fuel further demonstrations, while urging the authorities to respect citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
The Obidient Movement maintained that its commitment to peaceful advocacy should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender, insisting that Nigerians have the right to demand accountability from those in government.
“The police cannot continue to break the very laws they are mandated to enforce and expect Nigerians to remain silent,” the group said, reiterating its demand for the release of its coordinators and an end to the alleged harassment.
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